Bucks nurse cycling 3,200 miles on behalf of children's hospices
Francesca Lennon is aiming to raise half a million pounds
A Bucks-based nurse is currently cycling 3,200 miles over 70 days to raise money for every children's hospice service in the UK.
Francesca Lennon, a paediatric nurse, is cycling between all 54 children's hospices in the country to raise awareness of their work, as well as half a million pounds.
The epic bike ride started on the 20th of June, at the start of Children's Hospice Week, and will finish on the 28th of August, averaging around 46 miles per day.
Her journey will take her up and down the country, stopping off in Beds and Herts.
Inspired by the death of her friend's son
As well as being spurred on by her work as a nurse, Ms. Lennon was also inspired to take on the challenge after the death of a friend's son. Henry was just 9 years old when he died from Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.
Ms. Lennon said, "he always wanted to help other people and I know with him by my side, my bike's named after him, we've got an even stronger message to spread and we're hopefully going to help more people."
"There's a huge vacancy rate for children's nurses"
There are almost 100,000 seriously ill children in the UK who are being helped by children's hospices but they're currently struggling to raise the money they need to continue their work due to the pandemic and the cost of living crisis.
Ms. Lennon adds, "one of the main challenges children's hospices are facing at the moment is staffing. There's a huge vacancy rate for children's nurses which is something we need to raise the profile of. Without the nurses we can't offer that support to children and families."
As part of the cycle, children across the country as being encouraged to 'race Francesca' by working together to travel the same distance on their own wheels - whether that's a bike, scooter, wheelchair, or rollerblades!
Donations can be made via JustGiving.